Supporting-rack.



, PATENTED JAN. 6, 1903.

J. A. DONNELLY. SUPPORTING RACK.

APPLIOAITION FILEDAPR 22, 1902 30 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. DONNELLY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SUPPORTlNG-RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming ile of Letters Patent No. 717,739, dated January 6, 1903. Application filed April 22, 1902. 'SBIl-MNO. 104,130. on model.)

To all whom it natty concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. DONNELLY, a resident of the borough of Brooklyn, Kings county, New York State, have invented an Improvement in Supporting-Racks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to supportingracks for tin-plate and other sheets; and it consists of certain improvements set out in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

The object of my invention is to provide a suitable construction .of rack from tubular and rolled metal which shall embody durability, strength, lightness, and cheapness and have capacity for supporting a large number of sheets of tin or other material in a limited space for drying or other purposes.

My object is also to so construct such a rack that it shall be capable of easy movement.

In carrying out my invention I construct an outside or skeleton frame of vertical and horizontal parts, preferably tubes, connected together by suitable pipe connections, so as to constitute an open framework of box-like, dimensions. The upright tubes of the frame are perforated, and sprung into or inserted through these perforations are horizontal rods, forming a vertical series of horizontal rods at front and back of the frame. Threaded on these rods and properly spaced apart are horizontal supporting-bars, which may be secured in place by solder or otherwise. In this manner the strong and, moreover, is inexpensive to construct. To enable the frame to move with case, it may be provided with suitable rollers at the bottom.

My invention also embodies details of construction which, together with the above features, will be better understood by reference to the drawings, in which- Figure l is a front elevation of a rack embodying my invention. Fig. 2' is an end elevation of same. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of Fig. l on lines 3 3; and Fig. 4: is an elevation similar to a portion of Fig. l, but

on a larger scale.

Arepresents four corner upright tubes, and

13 middle, front, and back tubes.

' These six rack structure is light and tubes are connected at the bottom by longi= tudinal tubes G and cross-tubes E and at the top by longitudinal tubes D and cross-tubes F. The union of the several tubes is made by pipecouplings R, of suitable and wellknown forms. This skeleton frame is light and strong and is cheap to construct.

The couplings R at the top may be secured to the tubes A B in any convenient manner, as by being screwed to them or simply thrust upon them and riveted,both being well-known modes of securing tubular structures together. The particular manner of securing the tubes together is immaterial.

The outer or corner tubes A are provided on one face with a series of holes K, suitably spaced vertically, and the middle tubes B are perforated at opposite sides by corresponding series of holes L. Rods H are passed through the holes L of the tubes B and the ends it are sprung into the holes K of the corner-tubes A. In this manner the rods are firmly held in place. Threaded upon the rods H and spaced at intervals are the bars J, which form a grating for receiving the sheet tin or other article. As shown, there are three of these bars J between the width of the corner-tubes A and the middle tubes B; but any number of such bars may be employed. These bars are made of thin metal and are supported on edge by the rods H, which extend through the eyes or holes-in the ends of the bars. When properly spaced, they may be secured in position by solder or upsetting the surface of the rod or otherwise, as preferred.

This rack may be supported upon a series of rollers M, journaled upon the rods m, acting as axles, said rods extending through the tubes E and the tubular couplings R at the ends, as shown in Fig. 2. Of course it is evident that these rollers maybe loosely journaled upon or secured fast to the rods m, as desired, as is customary in vehicles.

The rack is usually made about six feet high, four feet long, and two feet deep, with the grates formed by the several layers of bars J about one inch apart; but these proportions may be varied as desired. It is also evident that where a small rack is desired the middle tubes B may be omitted, and it is equally evident that where a longer rack is desired additional tubes B may be employed, the general feature of construction being the same.

From the above description it is seen that the rack consists of a skeleton frame having a series of horizontal grates formed by the rods H and the bars J and arranged one above the other.

While I prefer the construction shown as best adapted to my invention, the details thereof may be modified without departing from my invention.

formed of upright corner-tubes connected at the top and bottom, two series of small rods H extending horizontally between the cornertubes in pairs and having their ends inserted in apertures in said tubes, and a series of transverse bars supported at their ends by opposite rods and forming a series of parallel horizontal grates.

3. A rack consisting of a skeleton frame having corner-uprights connected at top and bottom combined with two series of rods extending between the corner-uprights and connecting them in pairs, and a series of trans verse supporting-bars composed of thin strips arranged on'edge and provided at their ends with eyes threaded and secured on opposite rods said series of strips forming a series of horizontal supporting grates arranged one above the other Within the skeleton frame.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES A. DONNELLY.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. DONNELLY, JAs. H. MERRITT.

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